Real Quiet was called a “bargain-basement colt,” as he was bought for only $17,500. It took seven attempts before he won his first race. Moreover, he had won only twice in 12 tries by the time of the 1998 Kentucky Derby.

Fifteen horses started at Churchill Downs, with Indian Charlie as the favourite. Real Quiet stayed close to the favourite, and, when Indian Charlie made his move, his “bargain-basement” competitor passed not only Indian Charlie but Victory Gallop, winning the Derby by half a length. The win was worth $700,000 for Real Quiet and was his first victory in four races as a three-year-old.

At the Preakness, Real Quiet faced 10 horses and had another furious duel down the stretch with Victory Gallop. This time Real Quiet won by two and a quarter lengths.

Eleven horses came out for the Belmont Stakes, with Real Quiet favoured at 4–5 odds and Victory Gallop at 9–2. The finish was another exciting battle between the same two horses, reminiscent of the Triple Crown face-offs between Affirmed and Alydar 20 years prior. Real Quiet broke out to a large lead, but, with a furlong to go, he was tiring and Victory Gallop was mounting a charge. The two horses hit the finish line as one, and the announcement of the result was delayed as the track racing stewards analyzed film of the finish line. In the end Real Quiet had lost by a nose, which was the closest defeat of any of the horses who were only a Belmont win away from a Triple Crown. Real Quiet died in 2010.